Anushka Asthana

Middle-class families will have to pay more for nursery places unless the Government launches a radical overhaul of the current funding system, the head of England’s largest early-years body has warned. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, said that nurseries were

Boxing clubs across Britain are facing serious financial challenges that could hamper their positive impact in deprived communities, an inquiry by MPs has found. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing said that the sport was being successfully used to steer troubled young people back on to

Serving and former MPs have accused Louise Mensch of letting the side down by her sudden decision this week to quit the Commons. They say that female MPs are “flag bearers” and warn that the mother-of-three’s move could make it harder for women to be selected in the future. The Tory MP admitted

You’re different from other Pakis” — or words to that effect — was a “compliment” that I heard occasionally when I was growing up in Stalybridge. I was accepted by some peers because I was seen as untypical of what they imagined Asian people to be like. My mother, who is a GP, told me a similar

Cutting the number of staff at rail stations and on trains could put female passengers at greater risk of attack and harassment, the Women’s Institute has warned. The leader of the institute wrote to Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, urging her to think again about staff cuts. Ruth Bond

Conservative grassroot members believe that David Cameron could boost his chances of victory in a general election by forging a pact with the UK Independence Party. Six out of ten think such a move would boost the party’s electoral hopes by bridging the divide on the right of British politics, a

Millions of low-income families face rising council tax bills from 2013 under plans being drawn up by councils. Proposals emerging across England will see many people who are currently exempt from charges or have their costs subsidised losing support. Some will be hundreds of pounds worse off each

Liberal Democrats are plotting their retaliation against the Conservatives after it emerged that David Cameron is ready to give up on attempts to reform the House of Lords. In a move that has raised questions about whether the coalition can survive, the Prime Minister has conceded that he cannot

Nick Clegg persuaded enough of his Lib Dem MPs to walk through the Aye Lobby in support of a major increase in tuition fees. Many saw it as a move that would kill their Parliamentary careers. Then they backed NHS reforms. And controversial cutbacks in welfare. In their eyes they have sacrificed

The Home Office has splashed out more than £600,000 on hotels for staff over six months - including luxury resorts in countries such as Barbados, Morocco and Kuwait, The Times can reveal. Figures show bills stretching to thousands of pounds on individual properties across Britain and the world.